Will Forgo the Bad Pun for Butter

Seriously, these shoes are gorgeously amazing - and, oh, btw, ridiculously comfortable. And I'm in love.

Any line that names a color "Car Patent" is alright by this car-lovin' gal.

I so wish that Nancy Geist and Lee Riech had their Butter site up and running, and that I could find a pic of the gorgous peep toe pump that screams sleek luxury car. Part of their fall line, it's a classically styled pump with a little bit of "quilting" at the heel and around the toe box. It's a deep deep brown - almost black - with the barest hint of coppery flecks - just like you'd find on a metallic car paint. It'd make a perfect "new neutral" and go with Everything.

And I'm in love.

I should've put myself down on the list for a pre-order at simplysoles.com's preview and Meet the Designer (Lee and her lovely assistant took the train down from NYC) event Wednesday, but I'm just trying to be frugal.

But I do have that "if I think about it for days in a row, I need to buy it" policy, so...

Sad News for a Washington Tradition

I know it's teensy to read, but here's the gist: Harriet Kassman is retiring after 41 years, and closing her shop at Mazza Gallerie. If ever a time to buy, buy now, and be able to say you were a part of something quintisentially Washingtonian.

Update on the Solved Style Dilemma

Other than my entire family (yes, seriously) going black & white for BabySis' BabyBoy's baptism, the weekend was lovely and stylish. My newly purchased frock was comfy and flattering, if almost too revealing (the Girls looks fabulous).

The one caveat: I'm pretty sure some of the looks I got weren't because of the Girls - at least not in that way. Let's just say that I saw a couple of "knowing looks" from women. The Girls looking busty and a "forgiving waistline," well...

No, I'm not.

Just for the record.

Style Dilemma Solved: Cool, Fluttery Cotton

I love it when I'm Super-Efficient Shopper Girl.

Grabbed 2 sale books at Barnes & Noble (one crappy trashy mystery, one Jacques Pepin cookbook - aDORe him), lunched on a ho-hum sandwich in the cafe, then hit The Loft. In and out in less than 1/2 hour.

The dress selection in the Clarendon store isn't fabulous, but tried on the red knit, the white shift, a white sleeveless shirtdress, and the winning black fluttery cotton number.

Results...

Red - probably needed a bigger size, but just didn't like it enough to bother. Still a good color, though.

White shift - very pretty retro conceptually, but fit just wasn't right on me. Next size would've ballooned, but this size didn't sit right (I apparently have a long torso).

Shirtdress - there's a reason I don't wear them. They're oh, so boxy on me. Would love love love to find one that works, but have yet to get there.

Black cotton - for some odd reason, there's no pic of it on the Loft website. It's cool, shapely but loose, and the black, gauzy cotton will let me sweat without showing. It might show yogurt fingers all over, but the pretty rosette detail (yes, bad PR flashbacks, I know, but it's sweet, I swear!) makes up for it. Flattering v-neck with a loose fluttery collar.

I didn't think I'd want black, and I spent a little more than I'd wanted, but while it's not the most amazing piece of clothing in my closet, I can see it being my "go to" summer number. On Sunday, with a statement necklace and Chie Mihara pumps. On Wednesday, at the simplysoles event, ankle-tie wedges or flat strappy sandals.

Oh, and I picked up a pair of fun, on sale shades, as The Bean finally tore apart (literally) my beloved $10 Target pair. $14.99 is almost as good, and the gold detail cracks me up.

Style Dilemma: Chic in Church

My nephew is getting dunked this weekend. Well, it's a Presbyterian chuch, so just drizzled on, unlike my Bean, who was full monty and dipped to her head (screaming and peeing on the nice priest).

BabySis (better known in this world as Prettyinpink) has a lovely navy jacket and pale skirt, very demure, ladylike, and appropriate mama.

I, on the other hand, am at a loss. I have a standby suit - which I wore to The Bean's baptism - but it's navy and cream. Am not going to do that to BabySis.

So I'm searching for a nice summer dress, as I have none in my wardrobe. My only recourse is Clarendon shopping, which is oddly mixed with boutiques and chains. I'd love to Buy Boutique (Farinelli, for example), but just can't do the cost right now, even with summer sales. I can't stomach spending more than $50 on a dress. (A quick run through South Moon Under last week yielded nada that wasn't fit for the beach.)

So Ann Taylor Loft it is. My choices, per webbrowsing...

White with a toddler is a serious risk, but love the cut and detail. And slightly over my $50 budget

Maybe not summery enough, and maybe not daytime enough, but pretty color and looks effortless.

Pretty rich pink, adorable detail, but maybe too casual.

Potentially shapeless (though I rarely give credit to models, as half the time things look better on real people), and maybe too beachy.

The other consideration? One of the two choices I'll give The Bean is deep pink - not too far off from the 2nd to last dress above. Now that would be just too, well, Junior League. Will just have to see what looks good in the dressing room!